Table attachment for beds



H. OHLSGHLAGER. T'ABLE' ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS;

(No Model.)

No. 494,435. Patented Mar. 28, I893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY OHLSCHLAGER, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 494,435, dated March 28, 1893.

Application filed May 9, 1892. Serial No. 432,345. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY OHLSCHLAGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Quincy, in the county of Adams, and in the State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table Attachments for Beds; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my invention arranged for use on a bed; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the rest or support, and table, apart from the bed, with the table shown in the position it occupies when not in use; Fig. 3 a longitudinal section when arranged as shown in Fig. 1. t

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in the several figures.

The object of my invention is to provide a table for the use of invalids, or the sick who are confined to their beds, on whichfood, or other objects can .be placed; and more especially my object is to provide such a table, in connect-ion with a back rest or support, similar, in many respects, to that 'set forth in my pending application, SerialNo. 424,548, so as to combine in one article these two, very desirable things.

To these ends myinvention consists in the table, and in its construction and combination with a back rest, or support substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

It consists further of special features inthe construction of the table and the rest or support, and in the adaptation of the bed for their use, as will hereinafter more fully apear. p My back rest or support consists of a light, rectangular, oblong, open frame A to which is attached, in any suitable manner, some flexible material, as carpet, canvas, cane-work, or the like, or any other material which will be comfortable and easy to the back. To each side piece of the frame and near its top is pivotally attached a brace B, for supporting or sustaining the rest in position for use. The two braces at theirlower ends are adapted to engage with a horizontal rod or bar 0, of a length somewhat less than the width of the bed, and attached at its ends to the front side of the head board, so as to be about on a level tween their ends.

with the mattress. For engagement with the bar, the lower end of each brace B is formed or povided with a nearly semi-circular, rigid hook b, and alike-shaped spring hook b, that is fastened to the brace opposite the other, in such a position, that a space will be left be- Such space is narrower than the diameter of the rod (3 and its object is to enable the hooks to be readily forced, or passed over the rod by the yielding of the spring hook, either to engage them therewith or to disengage them therefrom. If desired both hooks may be elastic.

To provide for variation, 0r adjustment, of the length of the braces B, each is composed of two, telescoping sections, or parts, the upper of which receives the lower, and is provided with a screw threaded opening near its lower end, in which is a set screw 11 adapted to abut against the lower inclosed section, to clamp, or hold the parts in the position to which they may be adjusted. The two sections are preferably round in cross-section and the lower section may also be made tubular, if desired, for lightness sake.

To each side edge of theframe A of the back rest, or support, and near the bottom, is attached, in the manner to be described, the end of a bar or rod D, preferably of metal, that forms one side of'a n-shaped movable frame which holds andcarries my table. Said table consists of two plates E and E hinged together to enable one to be folded, or turned over and upon the other, and opened orturned off and away'therefrom, somewhat after the manner of the hinged leaf of the ordinary table, the object being the same as in the case of the latter, to enable the table to have an extended surface, and yet, when out of use, to be made quite compact. The plate E, or main portion, is semi-circular in shape, and its curved edge conforms to the curved portion of the n-shaped frame and is attached thereto by screws, or the like. The leaf portion E, which, of course, is not attached to the frame, is also semi-circular in shape, except, that a chord-shaped piece is removed parallel with the straight edge that is hinged to the main part E.

Of course, the table may be rectangular or any other shape, than that described, and the frame accordingly modified in shape, and said frame can be made in several pieces, if preferred, instead of one, as shown.

When not to be used, the table, with the leaf E folded over upon or against the main part, is supported on the top edge of the frame A, which edge is accordingly made straight in order to be fairly engaged by the straight edge of the table. To hold the table in this position, either a groove or channelis formed in said edge, in which the lower portion of the table can be seated, or, as I,prefer,astrip or plate F can be attached to the front side of the frame A, so as to project above its top edge, and of a width to extend entirely across the same, and one or more narrow pieces F, or if desired, a strip or plate like the strip F, attached to the rear side of said frame and projecting above its top edge. \Vith the table resting on said edge, the pieces projecting above the latter will engage the front and back sides thereof, and prevent it falling either backward or forward. The strip F can be made either plain or ornamental,as fancy may suggest.

The free ends of the side rods or bars D of the table-carrying frame are secured to the rest frame A, so as to permit movement of the table in the plane of the rest, in order that the table may be placed upon the top edge of the rest frame, as described, and removed therefrom by being lifted out of the space between the projections F and F, and also a swinging of said frame to move the table to a horizontal position, and restore it to its position upon the top edge of the rest frame. These movements are provided for simply by making slots (1, d in the bars or rods D, of a length sufiicient to allow the necessary movement in the plane of the rest, and passing a pin or screw G through each of said slots into the side edge of the frame A, to hold the rod or bar in place, guide it in its longitudinal movements, and serve as a pivot on which to turn it to swing the table from one position to the other. Said screw G is preferably a thumb screw to admit of its being readily used to temporarily bind the rod D against the edge of the frame A to look or hold the rod against movement, and more especially longitudinal movement, so as to prevent the table being accidentally dislodged from between the strips or projections F and F.

For the convenient disposition of the rest and table, when they are not to be used, I provide an opening H in the head board, preferably at its transverse center, of a shape and size corresponding to the like features of the rest and table, when the latter is placed upon the top edge of the rest, in which they can be put. Preferably, this opening is covered, on the back-side of the head board, in order that the latter may not be weakened unduly, and the rather unsightly appearance avoided, which the opening would present, when the rest and table are in use. The backing may be given the appearance of a panel and so the expedient utilized to enhance the appearance of the head board. As recesses are provided in the back of the frame A, for receiving the braces B, B, when folded against the same, said braces offer no impediment to a snug fitting of the appliance in the opening in the head board.

The provision of the opening, as above described, makes it unnecessary to detach the braces from the head board, at all and therefore, if desired, the lower end of each brace may be provided with an eye instead of the device heretofore described. I, however, do not limit myself to a construction which involves the provision of said opening, or the permanent attachment of .the device to the head board, as the opening may be dispensed with, the attachment be temporary, and the means for attachment different from the bar or rod 0 and the eyes, or the special devices I have illustrated. I prefer, though, to employ the rod 0 for the reason that it admits of an easy, and convenientlateral adjustment of my rest and table, to any position crosswise of the bed.

Instead of covering the opening H in the head board at the back of the latter, I propose, to cover it at the front side of the head board, in which opening the appliance, when made detachable from the head board may be placed. Buttons or clips, pivoted to the head board at points adjoining the opening, are employed with this construction to hold the rest and table from falling out.

The manner of using my invention is as follows: The rest or support with the table upon its top edge and, with its lower edge resting upon the bed, is fixed at the desired angle of inclination, and the invalid, in a sitting posture, leans against it. The thumb screws G, and G holding the table carrying frame to the rest frame A, are then turned to loosen the side bars D, and D sufficiently to permit the table to be lifted from between the projections F and F, and swung down to a horizontal position in front of the invalid. The leaf E, being hinged to the main portion E so as to be against the rear side of the latter, when in position on the top of the rest frame A, will be on the upper side of said main portion, when it is in a horizontal position, and therefore has simply to be turned over on the lap of the user to complete the arrangement of the table for use, its edge that comes next to the body of the user, being curved in order to conform thereto.

If desired, short legs may be attached to the table, to support the same from the bed, and prevent its contact with the person of the invalid. Said legs may be thin bars pivoted each at one end in recesses provided to receive and conceal them, when the table is not in use, in such manner that by their gravity they will place themselves in supporting position, as the table is lowered and will return to such recesses as the table is returned to a vertical position. Instead of using the rods and providing recesses for them, thin. plates having a fanciful configuration may be used for legs, which when the table is in a vertical position will lie against its front side and serve to ornament the same.

When through with using the table the leaf E is turned over upon the main portion E, the frame swung upward to place the table in the same plane with the rest or support, and said table then dropped down upon the top edge of the rest so that its lower portions will be engaged by the projections on said rest. The thumb screws are then tightened to bind the rods or bars D, D of the table carrying frame against the side edges of the rest to prevent dislodgment of the table from the top of the rest. The table thus disposed of, the use of the rest may be continued as said table will in no manner, interfere therewith either practically, or in appearance, as in effect it becomes a part of the rest. When the use of the rest is to be discontinued, the Whole appliance is placed in the opening H in the head board without detaching the braces B and B from the rod or bar 0, when said opening H is in the front of the head board.

Instead of covering the opening H, as described, I contemplate omitting the covering. With this construction projections will be provided on the rest to overlap the sides of the opening H to prevent the rest passing through the same to the back of the head board,while to prevent its falling out forward, turn-buttons will be pivoted to the rear side of the rest to overlap the sides or edges of the opening H at the rear side of the head board.

When no opening H is to be used at all to hold the rest and table, but the same are still to be attached to the head board when not in use, I contemplate attaching hooks to the rear face of the rest adapted to engage a molding similar to picture hanging molding, or a plain rod, or eyes, to be attached to the front side of the head board.

In so far as my invention is applicable to reclining chairs, cots, and the like I wish it understood that I hold myself at liberty to make such application.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination with a back rest or support, a swinging frame attached thereto, the

table carried by said frame, and adapted to be fixedly held at the upper part of said rest or support, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

2. In combination with a back rest or support, the projections at its upper edge, and the table adapted to be placed between and held by said projections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with a back rest or support, the projections at its upper edge, a swinging, and longitudinallyrmovable frame attached to said rest or support, and a table carried by said frame, adapted to be placed between and held by said projections, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In combination with a back rest or support, the projections at its upper edge on both back and front sides, a swinging frame having two side bars each of which is slotted at its lower end, and attached to the side of the rest by a screw, and a table carried by said frame and adapted to be placed between and held by the projections on said rest, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In combination with a back rest or support, a bar or rod attached to the head board of a bed, connections between the latter and said rest or support, and a table carried by the rest or support, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

6. In combination with a back rest or support, the head board of a bed having an opening conforming to the shape ofsaid rest to receive and contain the same, a rod or bar placed on thehead board beneath said opening and connections between said rod or bar and the rest or support, adapted to allow the latter to be placed in said opening substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. In combination with the head board of a bed, the horizontal rod attached thereto,

the back rest or support adapted to rest at 5 its lower edge upon the bed and the brace rods attached to the latter and adapted for connection with the horizontal rod at any point of its length, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

8. In combination with a back rest or support, the braces attached thereto having each at its lower end a rigid and a spring hook, and the rod or bar attached to the head board of a bed, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. In combination, a back rest or support, the projections at its upper edge on both front and back sides, a swinging frame having two side bars, each of which has a slot in its lower end and is attached to the side of the rest by a screw, that passes through the slot, a table attached to and carried by the frame, and adapted to be placed between and held by the projections on said rest, a head board having an opening conforming to the shape of the latter and the table, to receive and contain them, the rod attached to the head board and extending cross-wise of the same, and the braces extending between the rest and said rod, being detachably connected to the latter, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of April, 1892.

HENRY OHLSOHLAGER. Witnesses:

GERHARD G. ARENDs, Jr. A. B. ELHAPE. 

